Planning for the Unknown

This spring will prove to be quite hectic. I have a trip to visit my parents this weekend, the LSAT in February, perhaps a trip with Mr. to go on second looks in mid-February, the match in March, potentially a post-match weekend getaway with Mr.'s classmates, my best friend's bridal shower and bachelorette party sometime in spring, Mr.'s graduation in early June (with family coming from all over to celebrate), my best friend's wedding, and finally the move in June. Whether Mr. matches in NYC or halfway across the country, we will be moving OUT of student housing!

However, notice that those plans end with June. Okay, so there's another wedding in August on the calendar, but for the most part, I haven't thought past 5 months out. My cousin's experience has taught me that with the match, you can plan on nothing. Okay, I take that back. If you only apply in one city, then I suppose you can assume you will be in that city. Otherwise, it's the great unknown.

Except, life can't be put on hold. Events are planned, favors are asked, and commitments are needed. So what do you do? What can you do?

This morning, while Mr. was at an interview in the city, I received an email from one of my ministers notifying me that I had been nominated to serve on a committee that would serve next winter. Without anything set with Mr.'s career, I said yes. Here's why:
I feel honored to have been nominated and would like to serve on the committee if I'm in New York next year. Since I may be in New York next year, may be able to serve and would like to be able to serve, I said yes.
"But you may NOT be in New York next winter!" you may proclaim. That is correct; I may not be. I may also be hit by a bus tomorrow. While these are not equally likely scenarios, they are both possible scenarios. At any moment, anything could happen that would prevent one from keeping a commitment.
So then the question of Good Faith comes up. I realize that can be a misleading phrase since I'm using a church commitment as an example, but Good Faith in contract terms basically means honest intentions. A person should make commitments in good faith that s/he will fulfill the obligations of that commitment. Obviously, my situation has a grey area. Naturally, I was honest. I explained the situation and stated that the nominating committee could change their minds without offending me. Instead, we're all taking a wait and see approach. If I can't serve on the committee, they will find someone else.

Don't keep yourself from signing up for things you would like to do because of the unknown. Be upfront and honest about the possibilities, but keep living life and taking opportunities you like. Because, really, what else can you do?


64 days until the Match...

On the Road Again...

After a nice 2 1/2 week break for the holidays, Mr. is back on the interview trail. This weekend is one of the most popular weekends for orthopedic residency interviews, and Mr. is booked solid. Four interviews in four different cities, none less than 350 miles from the next.

Of course, the entire country was dumped with snow, so that should make traveling interesting.

Yesterday, Mr. traveled from New York to a Mid-Atlantic city without hassle. Upon arriving, he learned from the program coordinator that she was able to put him in an earlier time slot. While he had already paid hundreds of dollars to switch to the later flight to his next destination in the upper Midwest, it was all moot when both flights were canceled today. As far as I could tell, there was one direct flight between where Mr. was and where he was headed that was not canceled. I'm not sure how he did it, but he was able to get on that flight.

While the flight took off 16 minutes early, the destination airport was closed when Mr.'s flight approached. Luckily, they weren't diverted, but it did take an extra half hour (or so) to land, getting in 8 minutes later than planned.

I haven't spoken to Mr. since; I suspect he may have actually gotten to attend the social event that, had everything gone as planned, he would have had to miss.

Update: The social event started an hour earlier than I thought, and by the time Mr. got his car and to the hotel, it was too late. Oh well; at least he got in in time to get a full night's sleep!

Four more flights to catch to get to two more interviews. Wish him luck!


70 Days until Match Day...

Happy New Year!

2009 - what a year! It completely flew by for me.

To recap...
In January, as I entered my second semester of fashion school, I decided I wanted to go to India to visit a friend of mine. ASAP. I emailed a few mutual friends and one was in. Mr. decided on orthopedic surgery and started thinking about away rotation applications.
My birthday in February was low-key but fun, with the people I care about most in New York coming out to enjoy dinner.
By March the away rotation applications were out, and we played the waiting game.
In April I took the trip of a lifetime around Northern India with two incredible, hilarious women. I couldn't have dreamed of a more perfect trip.
Mr. finished his last rotation of 3rd year in May, and we also attended his grandfather's funeral.
June brought Mr.'s first orthopedic surgery rotation and it brought me jury duty. I made it to the voir dire but wasn't chosen (whew).
July and August, Mr. lived in the Midwest to complete his away rotations. I went to visit for a few days each month. Meanwhile, my friend from India moved to NYC, and I took her to all the essentials, including Grimaldi's in Brooklyn and the Bronx Zoo.
September brought Mr. back home to finish his residency application, and school started up again for me. At the end of the month, my grandfather passed away, an I took a last-minute trip to Ohio for the funeral while Mr. stayed behind to study for Step II CK.
October always breezes by as everyone fits in fall activities before the holidays take over. Mr. also had his first interview. I went to the Halloween parade in the Village with some of my favorite sorority sisters in creative and cute costumes.
November was hectic as we really started to schedule Mr.'s residency interviews, and I tackled final projects for fashion school. We spent Thanksgiving at my parents' house, where Mr. bonded with my mom's dog. (If we have a yard next year, we're SO getting a boxer/boxer-mix!)
I finally finished fashion school in December (hooray!), Mr. went on six interviews, we got stuck in the blizzard but ended up being less than a day delayed getting to his parents' house for Christmas.

With all the ups and downs, I can't imagine having another year like 2009. But 2010 will certainly be exciting. Mr. has 12 interviews in January... hopefully the weather will cooperate! I'm taking the LSAT in February. My football team of choice will then win the Superbowl. ;)
March brings match day, and hopefully a quick celebratory trip. April and May will be full of preparations for the move, whether is be across town or halfway across the country. Our families come in June for his graduation. Another, bigger celebratory vacation, my best friend's wedding, sorority convention.
Then Mr. will [hopefully] start residency in July!~ Another wedding in August, but because of the match, I can't plan much past June. :)

Happy New Year everyone!

76 Days until Match Day...